I walked out of the bathroom slowly, my steps careful, my eyes moving before my body did.

The bathroom was outside the inn, built in the backyard, far enough that the noise inside wouldn't reach it easily.

The night air felt colder than before, or maybe I just noticed it now.

I checked the corners, the trees, the fence, and the back door of the inn.

I was looking for her.

I didn't see the woman anywhere, but that didn't mean much.

Someone like her wouldn't stand in the open after doing what she did.

I stayed still for a few seconds, listening.

No footsteps. No voices.

Just the quiet hum of insects and the faint sound of people talking inside the inn.

I moved only after I was sure no one was close.

I had to be cautious.

That woman wasn't normal.

I didn't know how strong she was, but strength wasn't even the biggest problem.

What bothered me more was who she worked with.

The doctor.

Just thinking about that made my jaw tighten.

Anyone connected to him was dangerous by default.

I kept my head down and made my way back inside through the rear door.

The inn looked the same as before.

Warm lights, wooden floors, the smell of food and drink.

Normal on the surface.

That made it worse.

I didn't stop.

I went straight for the stairs and took them two at a time.

My room was upstairs, and so was the group room where the others were resting.

I didn't knock.

I opened the door and stepped in.

They all looked up at me at once.

"lets hold a meeting," I said.

"Now.

In my room."

They could hear it in my voice.

I didn't need to explain more.

No one argued.

They stood up quickly, some confused, some already tense.

We moved down the hall together, boots and shoes tapping against the wooden floor.

Once we were inside my room, I closed the door and locked it.

I stood there for a second, checking if everyone was present, then turned around.

I walked to the middle of the room and sat down on the chair, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.

I didn't wait and told them what I saw outside.

"The inn owner is working with the doctor," I said.

The room went dead quiet.

No one spoke, and no one even moved.

I could see it on their faces, the way the words hit them.

Sarah blinked first.

Elaris's mouth opened slightly, then closed again.

Sophia frowned, her eyes narrowing.

Sarah tilted her head slowly.

"Really?" she asked.

"How much of a coincidence?"

I looked straight at her.

"Almost zero."

She exhaled through her nose and leaned back against the wall.

"Great," she muttered.

"Just great."

Elaris crossed his arms.

"You sure?" he asked.

"Not just a guess?"

"I'm sure," I said.

"I saw enough."

Sophia didn't say anything yet.

She was watching me closely, like she was measuring my tone more than my words.

Sarah rubbed her temple.

"So," she said.

"what now?

Do we attack her or wait?"

"We should attack her immediately," I said.

"The best chance is just after she visits the first room of one of you."

Elaris frowned.

"Hold on," he said.

"How are we gonna know which room she starts with?

What if we make a mistake and all gather in one room while she's in another?

She'd probably get alerted."

I nodded.

"Yes," I said.

"That plan may not work out fully."

Silence followed again.

No one liked that answer, but no one could deny it either.

Sophia finally raised her hand a little, like she was asking permission even though she didn't need to.

"How about I talk with her?" she said.

"I take her with me to a place where you guys are waiting.

Then we attack her all at once."

I looked at her and thought for a moment.

The idea was simple.

Direct.

Risky, but everything was risky now.

And the biggest thing I was worried about was, we don't know how strong that woman is.

So we should attack her all at the same time and take her down as fast as possible.

I nodded.

"That's a good plan," I said.

"Let's do it.

But I will be the one luring her away."

Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

"Yes," I said.

"I will lure her to my room.

On my signal, my right eye wink, we all jump and attack her simultaneously."

Sarah straightened.

"That's it?" she asked.

"One wink?"

"One wink," I replied to her.

Elaris nodded slowly.

"Simple enough."

Sophia didn't argue.

She just gave a short nod.

"Alright."

Everyone agreed without more debate.

There wasn't time to make it perfect.

We all knew that.

I stood up.

"Get ready," I said.

"And stay sharp."

They moved to their positions quietly.

No dramatic speeches. No unnecessary words.

That's how we worked.

I left the room and headed back downstairs.

But suddenly I had an idea, and I stopped in my tracks summoning the black sword in my hands.

"This sword has been with me for a long time, and not even once I took it out from the inventory"

I closed my eyes, focusing on my contact with the sword handle.

Suddenly I felt my mind be pulled towards a black space, I couldn't feel any smell nor light.

Slowly, an immature voice called me, "you're my new owner?"

But before I could move my mouth or say a word I felt myself be thrown back to real time.

"What was that!" I blurted, gasping my chest, I felt like I'd been thrown to the sea then pulled back.

I took a moment to rest then I shook my head, "I should head towards the owner now" I said and resumed walking downstairs.

But my mind didn't leave that immature voice memory, for some reason it sounds familiar but not at the same time.

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